It’s more of a joke than a jibe at his abilities really.
It’s also unlucky that Fabio doesn’t play because I have read quotes from numerous people (Including rafael) that Fabio is the technically better one, and he’s right footed.

……as good as he is (and he is good), Raphael Van der Vaart is certainly the poor mans Wesley Sneijder :) lol, Bradford……when Nolan bags 20+ goals a season for the next 5 years maybe then can you give that comparison….ha!!